The Seat of Honor

Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great,
for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

If you had 30 minutes to converse with one person in this world, who would you choose?

It may be of interest to speculate about such a conversation, but the wisdom of Solomon is that such actions are most likely for selfish gain. We ultimately think that that person may have some influence that we can benefit from. This is not godly wisdom.

Matthew Henry quotes one of his sources as stating: "Deny thyself the place thou art entited to; covet not to make a fair show; nor aim at preferment; nor thrust thyself into the company of those that are above thee; be content in a low sphere."

Why is this essential to attaining wisdom? This was the way of our Lord. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a sevant . . ." (Philippians 2:6).

Follow the example of your Savior and seek not great things for yourself.